Fence



' (No Model.) v M. FRENCH.

FENCE.

Patented May ,9, 1882.

INVENTOR.

WITNESSES Q I TURNER. I

l U ITED STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

MICHAEL FRENCH, OF FRENCH, TENNESSEE.

FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 257,688, dated May 9, 1882.

Application filed Maroh14, 1882. (No model.) V

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, MICHAEL FRENCH, of French P. 0., in the county of Knox and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fences; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,

and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a simple, durable, inexpensive, and efficient portable fence, that is at the same time capable of contraction and expansion in length at will and without removing or separating any of its parts.

In the drawin gs, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the fence; Fig. 2, a top view thereof; Fig. 3, a vertical sectional view on the line w m, Fig; l; and Fig. 4, a perspective view.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates the panels of which my improved fence is composed. Each panel is constructed with a cross-piece, B, at its base, to which is secured a vertical post, 0, between the edge of which and a vertical binding-strip, D, the large ends of the horizontal rails E are secured, leaving a space, F, between each two rails. The sides of the latter graduallytaper from the end at which they are secured, which ef fects a great saving in material without any loss of strength, as where this is most needed the rails A are the broadest, and at some distance from the smaller ends G is secured a vertical strip, H, serving as a brace and to keep the longitudinal rails apart. The braces H serve as an additional support to the rails.

The arrangement and advantages of my invention will be readily understood by reference to the above description and annexed drawings.

In putting up the fence the small ends of the rails are simply inserted between the post 0 and strip D of the adjoining panel in the space F between the rails thereof. To contract the fence the ends of the rails are inserted farther between the post C and strip D, 0 and to expand the fence they are drawn out nearer the large ends of the rails of the adjoining panel, all of which is readily and easily accomplished by reason of the tapering shape of the rails, which causes the ends to be inserted to be smaller than the space they oc- The panels may be readily separated and transported from place to place, and when the fence is expanded to its fullest length a panel may be withdrawn without disturbing the adjoining panels by sliding it along the rails of the next panel that projects between its post and brace, then turning aside its opposite end, which is thus freed from the adjoining panel, and then withdrawing it'altogether from the fence, as shown in Fig. 40f the drawings. In like manner any panel may be made to perform the functions of a gate.

Having thus described myinvention, Iclaim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. The combination of two or more panels, having the sides of the horizontal rails tapered toward the end and secured to uprights, with a space between the rails, the smaller ends of the rails of one panel being adapted to be inserted into this space between the larger ends of the rails of the adjoining panel, as and for the purpose specified. V

2. The panels A, consisting of cross-piece 13, having vertical post 0, between which and the binding-stripD the large ends of the tapering rails are secured, the latter being provided at some distance from their smaller end with a vertical bracing-strip, H, as and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MICHAEL FRENCH.

Witnesses:

H. O; TARWATER, WM. RULE. 

